ROTTEN TOMATOES: "Dreamgirls" Screened to Applause...Who Smells Oscar? Comments

"Dreamgirls" Screened to Applause...Who Smells Oscar?

by Jen Yamato | November 16, 2006

Summary

Like a Broadway musical, "Dreamgirls" debuted last night in simultaneous "One Night Only" sneak screenings in anticipation of its release next month. Will audiences flock to the Jamie Foxx-Beyonce Knowles period musical? Is "Dreamgirls" still a contender for all those rumored Oscar noms, now that people have actually seen the film? Back to Article

(1-20 of 20 posts) | Reply

agentjames007 writes:
on Nov 16 2006 05:31 AM

Not really a movie I'm excited about, but that's cool if Jamie's having more success. He seems like a good guy. I'm happy for all of them.

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daycare writes:
on Nov 16 2006 06:07 AM

Dreamgirls lived up to the hype. People went crazy last night. This film will be big at the oscar. This is the first film after the Departed to give the Departed a run for the Oscars. Alot of people was hating on Dreamgirls, myself as one of them but the movie was great. Even Beyonce did a good job. Not Oscar good but good. Bill Condon seems like he knows muscial. He did it with chicago and now Dreamgirls. He should have did Rent and The Producer and maybe they would have been better musicals.

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curtis writes:
on Nov 16 2006 07:52 AM

It seems like everybody is talking about this film after last night. It seems Critics loved the film. We now got another Oscar contender after The Departed.

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JoeMovieTack writes:
on Nov 16 2006 09:04 AM

I saw it last night too....I am working on my review as we speak. There was applause in Phoenix as well, but I think The Departed is a FAR more worthy film for best picture......We shall see

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jacketman writes:
on Nov 16 2006 09:51 AM

[b]hmmmm[/b]
I think it seems like a good movie... But if 'Little Miss Sunshine' isn't getting a bit of an oscar buzz I=ticked! Its so good!

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curtis writes:
on Nov 16 2006 10:50 AM

[b]David Poland loves the movie[/b]
http://www.moviecitynews.com/column...car/061116.html

Dreamgirls Wake

Overture, curtain, lights
This is it, the night o' nights
No more rehearsing and nursing our parts
We know every part by heart

Overture, curtain, lights
This is it, to hit the heights
And, oh what heights we'll hit
On with the show, this is it

Dreamgirls landed in Beverly Hills (and across the country) last night� and left a giant crater in the Oscar season.

The film was everything promised and more.

More than a traditional musical, as there are only three or four numbers that really feel like traditional musical numbers, and the first of those comes an hour into the film.

More than an all-black movie, which it is, but with a cast of many familiar faces and not real self-awareness of its blackness. It's like the old question, is Chinese food in China "Chinese food" or just "food?"

More than Chicago, which some worried was too cynical to win. Dreamgirls is an emotional musical with highs and lows and real generosity to all of its characters. (Forget the silly talk about Diana Ross being angered by the film. Her character stand-in, played by Beyonce, is a full character who grows into her womanhood. If she were to complain, she would be laughed at.)

The evening, produced by Team DreamAmount, could not have gone much better. It would only be fair to note that it was very much like a premiere, filled will friends and family� and it was not unlike a gay cotillion. When wild applause broke out a few times during the film before the anticipated number started, you knew you were in a room with plenty of theater queens.

That said, it was the enthusiasm after many of the numbers that was amazing. At least seven numbers got applause breaks, including the famous take-away at the end of "I Am Telling You," where as the Michael Bennett did with the musical, Bill Condon jumps immediately into the middle of another number. The show must go on.

There isn't a bad performance in the movie. But the powerful surprise is Jennifer Hudson, who will be winning an Oscar this year, no matter what category they run her in.

The studio long ago decided to go supporting, but the HFPA is considering moving her to lead and she is, indeed, the lead of this film. There is a fear of Dame Helen, but the reality is that this performance would win in any category, whether Actress, Supporting Actress, or Best Short Film. The reason to move her to lead would to make an opportunity available for another performance�

Beyonce absolutely deserves a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role in Dreamgirls. But given the brutal fight for Best Actress slots, I don't believe she can be sure of even a nomination there. As you watch the early parts of the film, it's not real clear that she deserves Academy recognition, but she really soars in the third act with a number of sequences, particularly with her performance of a new Henry Krieger song, "Listen," done almost completely in close-up.

And again� Jennifer Hudson will have an Oscar before the end of February.

Eddie Murphy is terrific here. He is not playing "Eddie Murphy." It is a nuanced performance and his singling leaves people wondering whether it was actually him. He, too, gets a new number, "Patience," on which he duets with Anika Noni Rose. Sign him up for a nomination, though the odds on him winning will have a lot to do with who else ends up in the category.

Jamie Foxx really plays the bad guy in the movie. He kind of devolves from well meaning scumbag to megalomaniacal scumbag. He does a nice job, but he is the one character to whom audiences just won't be able to cozy up. Thing is, the film really needed - and got - his strength and presence in the role. It just isn't very forgiving.

Did I mention that Jennifer Hudson can win whatever Oscar she is up for?

The film feels more like something like The Commitments than a full out movie musical. The numbers are big, but most of them are performance. And the storytelling is surprisingly personal. The three acts - 1. Making It, 2. Breaking It, 3. Seeking Redemption - are distinct as in most non-musical dramas. And each of the major characters gets their opportunity to step up.

In classical Condon, the film doesn't scream at you. But it does envelop you and draw you to each character and the overall arc. Anika Noni Rose's character, for instance, is on some level a classic caricature. But then, she turns into a very real young woman. And her choices, even when there are no words to call attention to them, are a part of the film experience.

The thing that really sticks with you about the Dreamgirls experience is that there is a real joy of performance and show business and artistry. There are many terrific films in play for the Oscar season right now. But none has the size and the fun and the revelation of performance that Dreamgirls offers.

The most nominations ever for a film is 14. Here are the 16 that I think Dreamgirls is capable of receiving� and *s on the ones I think it can realistically win.

* Best Picture
* Actress - Jennifer Hudson
Supporting Actress - Beyonce Knowles
Supporting Actor - Eddie Murphy
Direction - Bill Condon
Adapted Screenplay - Bill Condon
* Production Design - John Myhre/Tomas Voth/Nancy Haigh
* Costume Design - Sharen Davis
* Editing - Virginia Katz
Cinematography - Tobias Schliesser
Make-Up - Shutchai Tym Buacharern/Francesca Tolot
* Sound - Michael Minkler
Sound Effects Editing - Richard E. Yawn
* Best Original Song - Listen
Best Original Song - Patience
Best Original Song - Love You I Do

Of course, there is still a debate to come on slotting of the actresses. Jack Nicholson in Supporting Actor will be very difficult to beat� even for Eddie Murphy.

It still looks like Scorsese's year in Director and musical screenplay adaptations don't tend to win, so Mr. Condon could go Oscarless. But I guess winning Best Picture will just have to suffice.

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osiris3657 writes:
on Nov 16 2006 11:00 AM

I only have one thing to say about this.

MUSICALS SUCK!!!

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dracus writes:
on Nov 16 2006 11:31 AM

Two sure fire ways to kill a movie at the box office; overhype it and having a few self important star struck 'critics' like Mr. Poland proclaiming it as the winner of this year's Oscar for Best Picture even before it's released and seen by the paying customer. Look what that did to Brokeback Mountain last year.

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ttboy80 writes:
on Nov 16 2006 11:34 AM

this movie? really? i am not looking forward to this one bit.

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mulad writes:
on Nov 16 2006 12:06 PM

[b]Title[/b]
Oh, sorry, I read that as "'Showgirls' Screened to Applause...Who Smells Oscar?", and got very confused.

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Ashron writes:
on Nov 16 2006 02:01 PM

In reply to this comment (#848929)
Not to be a d--k, but Rob Marshall directed Chicago, not Bill Condon. That said, Condon is an excellent director, so I have high hopes for this film.

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the_NatureBoy_WOOOOO writes:
on Nov 16 2006 02:17 PM

This news makes me sick to my stomach. Jamie Foxx is a an arrogant prick, and I'm sick of musicals. I have zero interest in this film.

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bigcfk writes:
on Nov 16 2006 06:16 PM

In reply to this comment (#848939)
*thumbs up*

i wouldn't mind seeing this on DVD or something...

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curtis writes:
on Nov 16 2006 07:41 PM

Looks like Dreamgirls will take over the oscar after all. Sorry for the Departed.

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grapeantler writes:
on Nov 16 2006 07:53 PM

So excited.

except beyonce would be up for lead actress and j-hud would be up for supporting.

I can not wait any longer!

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curtis writes:
on Nov 16 2006 08:00 PM

J-Hud has already won the oscar for this movie. Sorry but Beyonce will not get and nod. She was good in the film but not great like the other cast members.

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fizzypulp writes:
on Nov 17 2006 04:17 AM

I am quite looking forwrad to this film. Like all genres some are good some are bad so just because people dont like musicals doesn't mean it will suck.
One thing annoys me...why do popstars automatically get nods to star in films. Why not pick someone who has trained hard and worked hard to be an actress......rant rave

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seattlemoviegoer writes:
on Nov 18 2006 07:59 PM

online movie forums crack me up. whenever a musical
pops up, there appears a strange chorus of naysayers
and those that proudly proclaim thier hatred of the genre.
jeez folks, chill out. musicals have been with us since
sound came in. and if you don't think people want to
see them, check out the current grosses on Broadway.
legit stage shows make more money than movies.
PHANTOM 3.6 billion. CATS 2.5 billion. LES MIZ 3.0 billion.
with a "B". This is more dough than TITANIC.
it's all about commerce--introduce yourselves to reality (and art), folks.

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savethemooses writes:
on Nov 18 2006 08:31 PM

[b]Yeah![/b]
Musicals suck! The Jazz Singer should never have been made! Heck, we shouldn't have gone to sound at all so we wouldn't have to risk hearing people sing! Nyah!

That said, I don't have a whole bucketload of interest in this movie, although I loved Foxx in "Ray".

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grapeantler writes:
on Nov 23 2006 09:13 PM

In reply to this comment (#848943)
agreed. although Beyonce will more than likely get a Golden Globe Nom because of the musical/comedy category.

Oh its going to be one of those tough golden globe/oscar situations. Dreamgirls will win that best picture award, but can it beat whatever wins drama come Oscar time?

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